‘Awkward and outdated’ – Why the Mayor of Galway tried to end tradition of addressing title holder as ‘his worship’
The name game for the Méara Cathair na Gaillimhe (Mayor of Galway) was played out at this month’s Galway City Council meeting, but efforts to scrap a historic colloquialism in the office did not pass go.
At issue was the long-standing tradition of addressing the sitting mayor as “His/Her Worship.” A proposal to amend standing orders, the rules and etiquette governing council business, sought to remove the formal title.
Mayor Mike Cubbard had earlier signalled his discomfort with the term, describing it as awkward and outdated, and indicated his intention to formally propose its removal.
However, at November’s meeting, Councillor Clodagh Higgins defended the title’s historical significance, along with other traditions of the mayoralty.
"It’s not outdated, it’s actually a tradition,” she told the chamber. “It represents the history of the council. It honours the office and if we start removing traditions because we don’t like them or they are outdated then what will stop the next mayor from doing away with the chain because they don’t like it.”
Days later, Mayor Cubbard expressed his disappointment on Instagram, calling the title “antiquated.”
He wrote: “Fine Gael members led the opposition to removing the ‘His/Her Worship’ part of the title and tabled a motion to retain it.
“’His/Her Worship’ originates from 16th-century Britain and was later adopted, along with other colonial forms of address, across the colonies. I firmly believe that the office of our First Citizen should be referred to in a way that reflects our true Gaelic heritage and the unique bilingual character of our city.”
“It is also disappointing that some of those who opposed my suggested change, raised no objection when it passed through the Procedures Committee the week before!”
Cllr Higgins urged the mayor to consider whether constituents would prioritise such a debate. “Would someone on the housing list, struggling to keep small business doors open, or picking up their children from the creche really care about such a proposal?” she said.
Mayor Cubbard responded in his post: “I recognise that there are many more significant issues facing our Council. However, while our city’s history includes a period of colonial rule, I do not believe we should continue to celebrate that legacy through the office of Mayor.”
During the meeting, Councillor Frank Fahy supported the amendment, stressing the importance of bilingual usage. “Who am I, who was once a mayor of this city, to make decisions for the future mayors?” he asked, joking: “Eventually I am going to end up in track suits.”
In the end, the motion was carried, with ten councillors voting to retain the title “His/Her Worship” in standing orders, and eight against.